German Court Sentences Dual Citizen for Violating Sanctions by Supplying Military Electronics to Russia

A German court sentenced a dual German-Russian citizen to nearly seven years in prison for selling military electronics to Russian companies, violating EU sanctions. The individual delivered parts used in Russian drones between 2020 and 2023, and attempted to disguise transactions after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

A German court on Wednesday sentenced a dual German-Russian citizen to six years and nine months in prison for selling electronics to Russian companies for military use, violating EU sanctions. The sanctions stem from Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and have increased following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The Stuttgart court revealed that the 59-year-old man delivered 120,000 parts to Russia, including components for the Orlan-10 drone, between January 2020 and May 2023. Despite the war, the defendant tried to mask these sales with invoices and shipping documents listing destinations such as Hong Kong and Turkey.

The court factored in his significant efforts to circumvent sanctions and the extensive nature of the transactions when determining the sentence. While his identity remains undisclosed in line with German privacy laws, the man confessed and showed remorse. His 54-year-old partner received a shorter suspended sentence.

(With inputs from agencies.)